When they walked into Jack’s, she was pleased to see the dinner crowd included her people, her friends. The first order of business was to introduce Cam to Jack. “This is Cameron Michaels, Dr. Michaels, a friend of Matt’s parents. And Cameron, this is Jack.”
Cameron deftly held the baby against his chest while he shook hands. “Pleasure,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot about this place. I thought I’d drive down and look it over.”
“Welcome,” Jack said. “What can I get you?”
“How about a beer?”
“You got it. Cameron, meet Paige,” he said just as Paige came from the back. “She’s married to the guy who really runs this place—our cook, Preacher.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said. “Looks like the stork is on the way.”
“Pretty soon now—this summer,” she said, smiling sweetly.
Jack put a beer on the bar and Vanni said, “Paige, can I impose on your hospitality for a few minutes? I should nurse Mattie—we’ve been out driving around all afternoon and he’s hungry.”
“Sure. You know the way.”
Vanni reached for Mattie and said, “Jack, can you introduce Cameron to the crowd? I’ll be back in a little while.”
She went into Preacher and Paige’s apartment behind the bar, settled herself into the soft leather chair and nursed her baby. In spite of her determination to be strong about the events that shaped her days, she felt the sting of tears. This guy had driven all the way from Grants Pass on the chance he might see her. She’d had a lovely time with him. But where was Paul? She’d give anything to see him, but he didn’t even call. Because, she reminded herself, I’m not a woman to him. I’m his best friend’s wife; he loves me like a sister, whether he’ll admit it or not. Hadn’t it always been like that?
Cameron was introduced to Preacher, who was very welcoming, if a little distracted by the dinner he was working on. With him in the kitchen was Christopher, who he introduced as his son except the boy called him John. Then there was Mike Valenzuela and Jack’s sister, Brie. Cameron sat down with them for a little while and learned that Mike was a former police detective and sergeant and Brie a former prosecutor. He hadn’t imagined he’d be meeting professionals with such sophisticated educations and experience in a little place like this.
He was offered dinner of pork loin, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, but he chose to wait for Vanessa to finish with the baby. And while he waited a beautiful young pregnant woman came in, followed by an old man carrying a young child. The woman leaned across the bar to kiss Jack and then Jack took immediate charge of the child. Cameron was soon introduced to Doc Mullins and Mel Sheridan. A couple more tables were pushed together and they joined the group while Jack, with his son on his hip, fetched the high chair from the kitchen.
“Mel, I’m fascinated by your work. You deliver most of the town, I’m told,” Cameron said.
“I don’t know about that. I do for the women who don’t have a lot of insurance. Or for special cases like Vanni. She doesn’t look it, but she’s kind of granola natural—she wanted to give birth at her father’s house, and she did a fantastic job. Textbook. In fact, we had a wonderful birthing party.”
“A birthing party?” Cameron asked.
“It kind of fell into place. When I was called out, Jack let it slip that she was in labor, so Preacher and Paige packed up dinner from the kitchen and closed the bar. Mike and Brie came out in case any of the children needed tending. With the general and Tommy, Jack and Davie, and of course Paul helping with the delivery, we were a full and happy house. It was great fun.”
“Wasn’t it a little melancholy? It being Vanni’s late husband’s child?”
“That’s the thing about babies, Cameron. They give you such hope. Such joy. That’s why I love this business.”
He laughed and said, “You obviously take it personally.”
She rubbed her swollen middle. “Not much longer. Jack promises we’re going to take a break after this one. And I’ve promised that if he doesn’t keep his word, I’m going to shoot him in his sleep.”
While Doc had his whiskey, Cameron grilled him with questions about small town doctoring, asked Mel about some of her other cases and quizzed Mike about local policing. He asked Brie what kind of law she was practicing and learned that while she’d been a prosecutor in Sacramento, she was now occupied with small cases that included divorces, property closures, water rights disputes and such. The county D.A. used her as a consultant on some cases, as well. He was completely fascinated, completely enchanted. Before long Vanni joined them, Mattie full and content against her shoulder. Cameron reached for the baby across the table and said, “Get yourself a beer. Lucky for you, it’s good for nursing mothers.” When Jack joined them, they were ready for dinner together.